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Post by froghawk on Apr 18, 2014 12:04:11 GMT -5
So after this nice '58 Pontiac appeared on my doorstep, I had to spend some time getting what little paint there was on it, off, so that it could take its rightful place on the jam-packed "Projects in Waiting" shelf. Used Scalecoat stripper, and the silver pretty much washed right off, while the flat brown (an old Pactra color, I think) took some persuading with Q-tips and toothpicks.
After stripping the body and interior I turned to the chassis, and carefully removed the original "lowering blocks" then flipped them to the lowered position. An additional 1/32" styrene shim under the front blocks brings the nose down a bit more for a hint of forward rake. Some styrene tube was slipped through the axle holes in place of the original kit's heavy splined axles. This enables the use of standard, later AMT wire axles, or, in this case, brass rod of the same size as the wire axles. I robbed a '65 Grand Prix kit of its wheel backs to use with a set of '61-'63 vintage AMT annual tires with Polly-S acrylic painted whitewalls, along with a set of repro Johan '58 Dodge Lancer caps I'd been holding for another project. Not sure if these are the final wheelcover choice, but they sure look cool for now!
Before...After...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2014 12:58:39 GMT -5
Wow that's a clean one! Almost be a shame to paint it.
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Post by Ranchwagon on Apr 18, 2014 13:05:41 GMT -5
Yep, very nice!
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Post by Kustoms Illustrated on Apr 18, 2014 18:09:47 GMT -5
Cool! Great stance.
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Post by Murphy on Apr 18, 2014 18:41:51 GMT -5
Sweeeeet. Definitely on my grail list...what a great place to start!
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Post by Gluhead on Apr 18, 2014 20:09:27 GMT -5
Good grief that's a beaut. I agree, it'd almost be a shame to paint it...but if anyone could actually improve on it, you could. The Lancers are gorgeous...are those the Modelhaus ones? Did you get his bumpers or clean up the originals and have them rechromed?
Oh, and if you are thinking about colors I hope you're not considering black and cream...otherwise I'm afraid I will be outing myself as a complete copycat before too long. lol.
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Post by 53suburban on Apr 21, 2014 9:52:44 GMT -5
The first picture is how you got it, correct? Looks like it was in pretty good condition. Great score. Nice cleanup.
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Post by draggon on Apr 21, 2014 11:16:52 GMT -5
Great change up, its looking so much better!
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Post by 1955chevy on Apr 22, 2014 6:37:53 GMT -5
That looks great, it is so clean.
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Post by RodBurNeR on Apr 22, 2014 8:30:57 GMT -5
looks good, caps are perfect!
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Post by TJ on Apr 25, 2014 3:06:27 GMT -5
Nice and clean, not molested at all, ready for a new life.
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Post by nadtheman on Apr 25, 2014 6:58:46 GMT -5
That was my first model car in '58 when I was 7. I sure wish I could afford one now. I can't think of anyone I'd rather see bring one back to life than you John. I'll be watching.
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Post by cycolacfan on Apr 26, 2014 16:50:36 GMT -5
Never seen one come out so straight, all that's ever hiding up paint when I strip them is scratches and glue burns.
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Post by ChrisV on Apr 26, 2014 17:05:04 GMT -5
It feels strange to say this about what's basically just a simple old kit mocked up prior to paint and assembly, but... This thing rocks!!!
I'm wondering, if a set of '59 Lancer caps would suit the look of the trim even better than the 57's.
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Post by dodgefever on Apr 29, 2014 6:50:57 GMT -5
I tend to prefer hardtops, but that's a beauty.
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